The first time I heard PUT YOUR RECORDS ON, I immediately turned up the volume on my car radio, then found myself humming the tune all day. With its catchy lyrics running through my head, the song brought a smile to my lips. PUT YOUR RECORDS ON, the third cut on Corinne Baily Rae's self titled CD, is an uplifting and jazzy anthem, compelling one to "let your hair down." It's such a happy song, in fact, it's irresistible.
From the first note of this new offering, Rae's refreshing voice weaves soulful emotion with easy to listen to music.
She's a treat to the ears, sultry and at once innocent and simple. Her voice is unique, and puts me in mind of Maria Muldaur, with a splash of Minnie Ripperton twisted with Macie Gray.
What is striking about this work, aside from Rae's fabulous voice, is she wrote and co-wrote every song. Nobody skimped on the arrangements, either, each song around four minutes long and played by expert musicians.
LIKE A STAR, the first song on this debut, has Corinne Bailey Rae museing to the one she loves in a simple arrangement perfect for slow dancing and romancing.
ENCHANTMENT has her voice rising and falling like cascading water. Smooth and lyrical, you'll be swaying to this song, rising up with Rae's harmonies and floating along like you really are enchanted.
In today's market, to find a work with this quality from beginning to end, without compromise in the middle, is a treasure indeed.
'TIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU is a lover's lament of love gone awry. The keyboard is funky and slow, with the singer's sorrowful voice blending and fading only to rise again with despair. Bluesy through the end, Rae carries this off so well it'll make you wanna cry.
TROUBLE SLEEPING tumbles you through denial of one refusing to believe she's falling in love. Harmonies mixed with the flute in this one, and the horns, come together seamlessly to have you singing right along.
The orchestration contrasts neatly with Rae's subtle soft treatment of her notes in CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS. She's like a little girl enchanted with innocent love, her voice transforming with the song's cool changes. The arrangement is fresh and fun.
Clear and inviting, Corinne shows her range in CHOUX PASTRY HEART, with haunting melody and sweet clear high notes like a songbird. LIstless and blue, she swings her voice a bit like Bonnie Raitt. Oh, but her OOOH's are from the heart; so fine and all her own.
BREATHLESS tempts and teases with Rae shining like a diva, her voice expertly playing in the horns and strings; a big vocal chorus and finish. Polished like a pearl, she carries this off flawlessly.
The hard driving I'D LIKE TO is so damn sexy and funky you'll find yourself dirty dancing to this way too cool seduction of a song. Big horns and seductive drums meld so wellwith voice and harmony, if you are sitting still, you're probably dead!!!!!
In herer reflective BUTTERFLY, Corinne Bailey Rae pays tribute to her mother and serves up a true delight; an uplifting lilting melody which leaves you happy and ready to play it again.
SEASONS CHANGE is another tapestry of song, voices weaving in and out amongst the steady drum beat which ticks like a clock, keeping time with her expertly soulful treatment. Her last three lines, "all these things happen for a reason,
so don't you go and throw it all away
you'll get yours when the seasons change" could be Rae speaking to herself. This truly is her season.
You want this CD. it's available on Capitol Records
Check out Corinne Bailey Rae's website http://www.corinnebaileyrae.net/
and get some neat merchandise while you're there.
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Comments: 11
music keeps us good company
thanks
Great review! The detail and description is wonderful and insightful. The metaphors manage to paint such a delightful picture. Excellent!
What is interesting is that both reviews come from people I respect as writers and as people. AND both reviews are both come from completely different perspectives.
I will HAVE to check her out!
Thanks
Julie, I agree about Jason Mraz. I wish HE would have followed Freddy Mercury in Queen........